CHAPTER-2: CLUES IN THE RUINS:

As the dawn breaks over the ruined city, the man find themselves wandering through the crumbling remnants of once-bustling marketplace. Shattered storefronts and overturned carts tell a story of abrupt and violent abandonment. The air is heavy with the scent of decay, and silence hangs like a shroud, broken only by the occasional creak of the unstable structures.

Their grip tightens on the journal as they navigate the debris, guided by an instinct they can't quite explain. Among the rubble, a faint glimmer catches their eye. Investigating further, they uncover a small trap door concealed beneath a pile of broken crates. Hesitant but driven by the curiosity, they pry it open to reveal a staircase descending into darkness.

The stairwell leads to an underground bunker, its walls lined with flickering monitors displaying grainy footage of the city above. The room is cluttered with maps, dossiers, and handwritten notes pinned to corkboards. A sense of familiarity washes over the man as they scan the chaotic arrangement. One monitor shows a distorted as they scan the chaotic arrangement. One monitor shows a distorted image of a meeting progress, shadowy figures seated around a long table. Although the faces are blurred, something about the scene tugs at the edges of their fragmented memory.

They approach the monitors, transfixed. A sudden flash of recognition hits them: They were there. The realization sends a chill down their spine, but the memory is frustrating incomplete. They recall a heated argument, raised voices, and the unmistakable presence of fear. Who were these people, and what had they been discussing? The only word that comes into mind is "Eclipse."

Their thoughts are interrupted by a low hum reverberating through the bunker. The screens flicker, and an automated voice crackles to life, warning of imminent security breach. Panic grips the man as they scramble to gather as much information as they can, stuffing papers and a portable drive into the bag. Footsteps echo from above, growing louder with each passing second.

With no time to spare, they locate a secondary exit and slip out into a hidden alleyway. The fresh air hits them like a wave, but the respite is short-lived. A quick glance over their shoulder confirms their fears: their pursuers have found the bunker. Masked figures swarm the area, their movements methodical and precise.

The man blends into shadows, using their knowledge of the city's layout to stay one step ahead. They retreat to a dilapidated safehouse marked on one of the maps they found. There, they sift through the collected documents, piecing together fragmented clues. Among the findings is a name circled multiple times: Dr. Elias ward. Beneath it, a nite reads, "He knows the truth. "

As the night falls, the man's resolve hardens. The conspiracy is larger and more insidious than they imagined, but the journal and the bunker's contents provide a faint trail to follow. With enemies closing in, they know that the next move is critical. Determined, they prepare to seek out Dr. Wars, the first tangible lead in their quest for answers.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***